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Radiological characteristics of atrial myxoma in Cardiac Computed Tomography
1Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, MonashHEART, Monash Health and Monash University Department of Medicine (MMC), Melbourne, Australia.
Insights
Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) can identify cardiac myxoma characteristics. This study details CCT findings in eight patients, highlighting its role in diagnosing cardiac tumors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Radiology
- Cardiac Pathology
Background:
- Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) is primarily used for coronary artery assessment.
- CCT also enables detailed evaluation of cardiac structures and pathologies like cardiac myxoma.
- Limited data exists on the CCT characteristics of cardiac myxoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the radiological characteristics of cardiac myxomas using CCT.
- To enhance understanding of CCT in diagnosing cardiac myxoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of cardiac myxoma cases diagnosed via CCT.
- Analysis of CCT features in eight patients over a seven-year period.
- Histological confirmation for seven cases; echocardiography and CCT for one case.
Main Results:
- Eight cardiac myxomas identified (5 female, 3 male).
- Predominantly left atrial location (7/8), with polypoid morphology (7/8).
- Average size 22x26 mm, with calcification in 50% and average attenuation of 74±46 HU.
Conclusions:
- CCT plays a significant role in assessing cardiac structures.
- This series provides key radiological characteristics of cardiac myxoma on CCT.
Background:
Although the primary role of Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) is assessment of the coronary arteries, the technique also allows detailed examination of cardiac structures and other cardiac pathologies including cardiac myxoma. However, limited data exists regarding the CCT characteristics of cardiac myxoma.
Objective:
To describe the radiological characteristics of a series of cardiac myxomas in CCT.
Methods:
We retrospectively identified all patients at our tertiary urban referral centre with cardiac myxoma on CCT over a seven-year period between July 2008 and July 2015. We describe the CCT characteristics of eight cases. Seven of them had histologically documented myxoma after surgical removal, while one patient had a lesion suggestive of myxoma on echocardiography and CCT.
Results:
Eight patients were diagnosed with cardiac myxoma, comprising five females and three males. Seven of eight myxomas were located in the left atrium and one in the right atrium. Seven myxomas were polypoid in shape and one myxoma was villous. The average size was 22 × 26 mm. Calcification was present in half of the myxomas and average attenuation was 74 ± 46 Hounsfield Units.
Conclusion:
CCT has an important role in assessment of cardiac structures. This series highlights the radiological characteristics of cardiac myxoma.
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